Leon Lawson Jr. is the uncle and assistant trainer of super middleweight Andre Dirrell, but he is also wanted by the Prince George’s County police for two counts of assault. Last night, Lawson sucker punched Dirrell’s opponent Jose Uzcategui twice in the face. The boxing match between Andre and Jose may have been finished, but a new brawl began at the MGM National Harbor.
A video of the fight has spread online like wildfire.
Video: Dirrell's Uncle Leon Lawson Sucker Punches Jose Uzcategui
Jose was originally disqualified for a late punch after the bell in the eighth round. Andre fell to the ground like a ton of bricks. The referee Bill Clancy decided that since the punch was landed after the bell, Jose should be disqualified. As a result, Andre captured the vacant interim super middleweight.
The beaten-up Uzcategui held back by his handlers, while Lawson was restrained and later left the building without further incident. Uzcategui is doing alright following the altercation. He was brought to the trauma center at MedSTAR Washington Hospital in Washington DC. He left the hospital a few hours later.
“I’m sorry for what my coach has done,” Dirrell said. “My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried. He cares for me. He loves me. Please forgive him.”
Police are currently on the lookout for Leon Lawson Jr. If found, he will immediately be subject to arrest.
In the main event of the evening, Gary Russell Jr. boxed Oscar Escandon. Russell managed to knock out Escandon in the seventh round to retain his fetherweight title. The vicious champion then spoke into the microphone and commented on the now-infamous brawl between Andre Dirrell’s uncle and Jose Uzcategui.
“We boys are gladiators, and sometimes emotions get the best of us,” Russell said. “Our families support us and we draw from each other’s energy, and I hope the fans can see that and understand that sometimes emotions run high.
Russell added that, “I want to apologize for the gladiators. The gladiators are warriors. The Dirrell camp, sometimes emotions build up and take the best of us. Please forgive them.”
Now, let’s look at that screenshot of Leon Lawson’s haymaker to Jose Uzcategui’s jaw:
